Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife. Ver. 1. _Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith._] Though there be not so much as a little vinegar to dip in. Pro 14:17 _See Trapp on "_ Pro 14:17 _"_ The Hebrew word properly signifies a mors... [ Continue Reading ]
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. Ver. 2. _A wise servant shall have rule over a son, &c._] God hath a very gracious respect unto faithful servants, and hath promised them "the reward of inheritance," Col 3:24 wh... [ Continue Reading ]
The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. Ver. 3. _The fining pot is for silver, &c._] God also hath his "fire in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem"; Isa 31:9 his conflatories and his crucibles wherein he will refine his, "as silver is refined, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Ver. 4. _A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips._] It is an ill sign of a vicious nature to be apt to believe scandalous reports of godly men. If men loved not lies, they wonld not listen to them. Some are of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Ver. 5. _He that mocketh the poor, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 14:31 _"_ And he that is glad at calamities, shall not be unpunished.] He is sick with the devil's disease, επιχαιρεκακια, which... [ Continue Reading ]
Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers. Ver. 6. Children's children are the crown of old men.] That is, if they be not children those who "cause shame," as Proverbs 17:2, and who disgrace their ancestors - stain their blood; if they obey their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince._ Ver. 7. _Excellent speech becometh not a fool._] A Nabal, a sapless, worthless fellow, in whom all worth is withered and decayed, - _qui nullas habet dicendi vires,_ as Cicero hath it, that can say no good except it be by rot... [ Continue Reading ]
A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. Ver. 8. _A gift is as a precious stone, &c._] Heb., As a stone of grace. Like that precious stone tantarbe, spoken of in Philostratus, _a_ that hath a marvellous conciliating property; or the w... [ Continue Reading ]
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends. Ver. 9. _He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love._] In friendship, faults will happen. These must be many of them dissembled, and not chewed but swallowed down whole as medicine pills, fo... [ Continue Reading ]
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. Ver. 10. _A reproof entereth more into a wise man, &c._] A word to the wise is sufficient. A look from Christ brake Peter's heart, and dissolved it into tears. Augustus being in a great rage, ready to pass sentence of deat... [ Continue Reading ]
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Ver. 11. _An evil man seeketh only rebellion._] Viz., How to gainstand and mischief those that by words or stripes seek to reclaim him. Some read it thus, ‘The rebellious seeketh mischief only'; he is set u... [ Continue Reading ]
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. Ver. 12. _Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man._] A bear is a fierce and fell creature, the she ear especially, as Aristotle notes, but most of all when robbed of her whelps, which she licketh into form, and loveth w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house._ Ver. 13. _Whoso rewardeth evil for good, &c._] Ingratitude is a monster in nature, and doth therefore carry so much more detestation, as it is more odious even to themselves that have blotted out the image of God. _a_ Some vices... [ Continue Reading ]
The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Ver. 14. _The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water._] It is easier to _stir_ strife than _stint_ it. _Lis litem generat; _ as water, it is of a spreading nature. Do th... [ Continue Reading ]
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD. Ver. 15. _He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, &c._] To wrong a righteous man in word only is a grievous sin; how much more to murder him under pretence of justic... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]? Ver. 16. _Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool? &c._] Wealth without wit is ill bestowed. Think the same of good natural parts, either of body or mind; so for authority, opportunity, and... [ Continue Reading ]
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Ver. 17. _A friend loveth at all times._] Such a friend was Jonathan; Hushai the Archite; Ittai the Gittite, who stuck close to David when he was at his lowest point. But such faithful friends are in this age all for the most part g... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend._ Ver. 18. _A man void of understanding striketh hands._] Of the folly and misery of rash suretyship, see Proverbs 6:1,3 _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:1 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:2 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:... [ Continue Reading ]
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. Ver. 19. _He loveth transgression that loveth strife._] It is strange that any should love strife, that hellhag, ερις ερυννις. And yet some, like trouts, love to swim against the stream; like salamander... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. Ver. 20. _He that hath a froward heart findeth no good._] Who this is that hath a froward heart and a perverse tongue, Solomon shows, Pro 11:20 viz., the hypocrite, the "double minded man," Jam 1... [ Continue Reading ]
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. Ver. 21. _He that begetteth a fool, doeth it to his sorrow._] Solomon might speak this by experience, and wish, as Augustus did, _utinam caelebs vixissem, aut orbus periissem._ Oh that I had either lived a bach... [ Continue Reading ]
A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Ver. 22. _A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine._] Eυεκτειν ποιει : so the Septuagint renders it. And, indeed, it is ευθυμια ~ that makes ευεξια. All true mirth is from rectitude of the mind, from a right frame of... [ Continue Reading ]
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. Ver. 23. _A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom,_] _i.e., _ Closely and covertly, as if neither God nor man should see him. The words may be also read thus: ‘He,' - that is, the corrupt judge - ‘taketh a gift out o... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom [is] before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth. Ver. 24. _Wisdom is before him that hath understanding._] The face of an understanding man is wisdom; his very face speaks him wise; the government of his eyes, especially, is an argument of his g... [ Continue Reading ]
_A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him._ Ver. 25. _A foolish son is a grief to his father._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:1 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 15:20 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity. Ver. 26. _Also to punish the just is not good._] The righteous are to be cherished and protected, as those that uphold the state. _Semen sanctum statumen terrae_ Isa 6:13 What Aeneas Sylvius said of learning, may be more pro... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Ver. 27. _He that hath knowledge spareth his words._] Taciturnity is a sign of solidity, and talkativeness of worthlesness. Epaminondas is worthily praised for this, saith Plutarch, that as no man knew... [ Continue Reading ]
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding. Ver. 28. _Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, &c._] “ πας τις απαιδευτος φρονιμωτατος εστι σιωπιων .” "Oh that you would altogether hold your peace, and it should be y... [ Continue Reading ]